Post by lovelace on Jul 4, 2006 10:40:03 GMT -5
Can you give us some background information (age, height, weight, where you are from, what you do for a living and your family situation)?
My name is Christian Adam Taylor I am 33, I stand at a gigantic 5 ft 6 inches and I currently weigh 286. I am born and raised on long Island New York. I have a wife Kathleen, a son Christian Jr 5 months old, and a daughter Kaitlyn Ann 20 months old. I work at the infamous Bev Francis Powerhouse gym , I run my own Personal training company ( 1 worker Me) and I also work for the gym as desk manager part time.
When did you get saved and how?
This is a long story but I will try to keep it short and sweet. Back in May of 2001 Joel Toranzo and I went upstate NY to a bench meet, Joel and I have been good friends for many years as we have been lifting at meets together since teenagers (I was 17 when I met the Bull). Well Joel decides to tell me How he has changed his life around and has become one of those Born again’s.. I was like Ok man if that helps you then goodluck.. That day I was nursing a hangover and couldn’t for the life of me figure out why I couldn’t lift for anything.. The time came for Joel to take a 3rd attempt which was going to break Glen Chabots record. I walked off to a corner and said Ok God if you are for real show me what you can do if you really care for this guy.. Joel unracked the 715 that day horribly. He was swaying back and forth and couldn’t get tight, finally after like 10 seconds he gained control touched his chest and like a bolt of lightning this bar shot up to lockout… I thought AHH coincidence, seeds were planted.. Well a month later I was on a plane going to Daytona to coach my 2 lifters in the APF seniors. I was scared to fly and always said a prayer (like I knew how to in the first place hehehe) as I was praying there I felt something come over me and I said to God you know what if you are trying to get my attention get me there safely and help me coach my 2 lifters at the meet, show me some kind of sign to know this is real.. Well the day of the meet I was nursing yet another hangover but still managed to coach them both to 4 pr’s each one had won her weight clbutt and set a new masters bench record and the other took second with not one single flaw all day… But here’s the cool part.. Tony Conyers was lifting that day, I never met him but heard how great a lifter he was.. This guy that day I think squatted just over 700 benched close to 500 and pulled over 700 weighing in at 154 lbs and 40+ yrs old.. After the meet I went into the warmup area and asked him, I said hey man I gotta ask you how in the world with your little body do you lift those weights with such ease.. he said Chris my lifting is a testimony of the power of God, I am just a vessel for the Lord to work through, I really just showed up and didn’t even know what I was going to lift today… Do you think God was trying to wake me up? Well it took about 3 months later of more and more conviction and one day I was just talking openly with a person I used to train about how I feel like God is sending me signs but I don’t know what to do… She says well I go to this church in such and such town come with me Sunday.. I went and from the moment I sat till the benediction I was in tears, feeling the awesome power of the Holy Spirit filling me with Love that I never knew before.
The pastor told me that day to go home read some of the Gospel of John and if I feel like coming back next week to come back , a week went by and everywhere I went I saw a Jesus fish on a car (for those who live in the south where there are churches everywhere, in the metro NY area that is very rare to see ) so the following week on Oct 21st 2001 I asked Jesus into my life.
How long have you been powerlifting and do you compete in other sports?
I started in the sport as a bencher when I just turned 17, in 1995 I did my first full meet ( I benched more then my squat and dead hehehe)
What denomination of Church do you attend?
We attend the Shelter Rock Church we belong to the northeast conservative Baptist organization but we typically don’t have the usual Baptist type worship services. On a side note I believe In Jesus and the Bible, if your church teaches and worships Christ biblically then who cares what denomination is on the sign outside…
What are your best lifts in competition?
242 715 sq 617 bp 683 dl 2001 total
275 815 sq 705 bp 685 dl 2200 total
308 903 sq 755 bp (wr) 677 dl 2303 total
Who are some individuals you look up to in religion and powerlifting?
In a spiritual sense I look up to my friend and mentor Jack Crabtree I cant really describe him to you but everyone who has met him could tell you he is the real deal, 100% filled with all the fruits of the spirit, He is also the Director for the Long Island Youth for Christ..
In Powerlifting it would have to be my best friends John Bernor and Joel Toranzo.
Withouit there spiritual leadership I would still be a baby Christian and never actually realize the gift God has given me to witness to the lost.
How do you balance powerlifting into your life being a Christian?
I believe God planned for me to use my strength to build his Kingdom, so lifting and competing is soley for that purpose not for self rewards..It is my ministry
Do you train others or are you a trainee?
I kinda coach TeamTaylor, my group of lifters. Some of which have been led to Christ.
Chris what are the organizations you have you lift in?
I have lifted in the APF, WPC, WPO, last and certainly least the IPA
I know that you have lifted in the APF/WPO, what is your view on lifting in meets that are non-tested? From a Christian witnessing view point?
Like I said earlier where I place in a competiton really isn’t of my concern, so Lifting against lifters who are jacked up on thousands of milligrams of anabolics doesn’t really make a difference to me, But I will tell you what, you can’t witness to the lost in the comfort of your own home. You have to go and kick in the gates of hell sometimes and rescue some POW’s (Lenny is gonna love that I used that quote)
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Phil 1:21 For to me, To live is Christ to die is Gain
How awesome is this scripture Death to the flesh and Alive in Christ, when we rely on Him and die to our wordly notions and feelings we become trully Alive
What is your favorite food?
Its a toss up between Chinese (chicken and broccoli) and Italian (pizza, chicken parm)
What kind of workout do you currently use? Ex..Westside, Progressive,etc.etc.
I use progressive overload with extras alla CT… Ok I usually vary my weeks between 2 different weeks, straight weight weeks and top end training with bands,chains or bands and chains. And I will hit a heavy single or series of singles each week, with varying amounts of gear. (easy concept right)
What version of the Bible do you read most often?
Most often the NIV but I also use KJV, Christian standard, and the Amplified versions during study time when I want to get different perspectives…
Favorite Religious and non-Religious book you have read (other than Bible)?
The barbarian way is my favorite Christian book. Don’t really read any other stuff
What is the most exciting thing you have witnessed God do?
Man that’s a tough one..First and foremost the minute I accepted Christ into my life I was healed of my obsessive drinking problem, it was just over just like that. But I guess the coolest stuff is when I hear him speak to my heart to do things and then watching the blessings flow from obeying. In 2003 I was training for APF seniors, at the time I stunk at squatting and I had just hit a pr 755 in training. In my meditation time before church I was so grateful for Him blessing me with the strength to hit the 755 the day before and I said how cool is it that I am so close to my lifetime goal of 800, just then I felt God speak to me and tell me I will take 755 at the meet on my second attempt then no matter how ugly it is to go for 800+ for my third attempt.. Well I went around and I told all my friends about it.. Day of the meet I went 705 1st attempt easy, then 755 second attempt looked ok but wasn’t easy to say the least you would deffinately say I shouldn’t go to 800+. But I knew I had to do it to prove my Faith and to be obedient. I unracked it and wow it was heavy 804 lbs for the first time woohoo,, sat it down deep and slowly grinded the bar to lockout.. I’ll never ever forget that for the rest of my life and all my guys were in shock.. Except Bernor ofcourse…
What is your favorite lift?
It used to be the bench but now it’s the squat.
What manufacture of powerlifting equipment do you wear or do you compete raw?
I will never compete raw, I want to be able to lift for a long time and keep from being injured and kept out of the sport. I wear INZER gear it’s the best engineered equiptment available.
What is your favorite religious hymn/song?
Wonderfull Cross, You raise me Up, In Christ alone, Above all
Bring me to life, The Messenjah, In Your Eyes, Nothing Compares
Do you have any hobbies outside of powerlifting?
I don’t know if it’s a hobby but I enjoy watching the custom muscle car / custom bike shows on tv. I also like watching Baseball and Football.
Whom is your favorite music artist?
My favorite bands are Third day, POD, Kutless, Jeremy Camp
What weight clbutt do you compete in and do you hold any state, American or World records?
I have competed in 242 and up to and including 308. Last yr I set 2 world records in the bench at 308 (weighed 290) WPC world record 727 in full meet, and WPO world record bench 755 in full meet. I have won the national bench championships like 7 times and I have gone to the world championships and won a gold medal in the bench back in 2000 and a bronze at 242 back in 1998 in Austria..
As a “Christian”, what is your view on Anabolic Steroids or Anabolic Androgenic Steroids?
Well before I became a believer I used to take extreme amounts of anabolics. I was a typical Obsessive compulsive person. Whatever I did I went to the extreme.
I was a alcoholic, I abused women, I thrived on rage, and yes I took anabolics. After my conversion these compulsive issues I had vanished, but the dammage had been done. From now on every blood test I get will show liver enzymes out of whack due to my toxic lifestyle. My body has also stopped producing testosterone, my pituitary is pretty much non functional. So I have to rely on testosterone injections to keep my blood testosterone values in the normal range 350-750 ng/dl. The dr prescribes me 200 mg testosterone every 7-10 days. This has been keeping my blood values at 499 ng/dl, which is within the normal range. Back when I abused test I would normally take 1000 mg a week as maintenance and up to 3800mg pre meet plus the extra pills I would use to make me more androgenic… So I guess I would say it is morally correct to use when you need it to maintain normal levels, as well as legally correct when you get it prescribed by a Dr. In any other case I would say usage is wrong from a Christian standpoint.
Whom is your favorite apostle and why?
Peter is my favorite. I think he is the perfect example of how we can be led off track but still seem to be saved by Grace. He walked on the water till he saw the distractions of the world making him loose his faith and fall in to drown only to be saved once again by Jesus. Then later on this total screw up was asked to lead His sheep..
Do you have any final comments?
Yes I have some extra comments I would like to add. First and foremost I want to thank you guys for considering me worthy of this interview. Mike and Shane this forum is a Blessing to many and you guys are really doing an awesome work for Christ. As I was typing out my answers here I was thinking how sometimes some Christians get wrapped up in the self righteous role. They see someone who is a little off and decide they will tell them how wrong they are. We are all human. No matter how much scripture you read and prayers you lead you are not too far from sin. We all screw up but what we need to do for our fellow believers is help them by loving them, not by beating them over the head with the thickest bible you can find. Encourage one another and lift each other up. We need to raise up ourselves to be a super strong army to defeat the enemy who wants us all to fail and be destroyed.
Last but not least if some of you guys don’t know I want to invite you all to my forums located at teamtaylor.net/forums/index.php drop on by and say hi now and then…
God bless you all,
Chris Taylor
My name is Christian Adam Taylor I am 33, I stand at a gigantic 5 ft 6 inches and I currently weigh 286. I am born and raised on long Island New York. I have a wife Kathleen, a son Christian Jr 5 months old, and a daughter Kaitlyn Ann 20 months old. I work at the infamous Bev Francis Powerhouse gym , I run my own Personal training company ( 1 worker Me) and I also work for the gym as desk manager part time.
When did you get saved and how?
This is a long story but I will try to keep it short and sweet. Back in May of 2001 Joel Toranzo and I went upstate NY to a bench meet, Joel and I have been good friends for many years as we have been lifting at meets together since teenagers (I was 17 when I met the Bull). Well Joel decides to tell me How he has changed his life around and has become one of those Born again’s.. I was like Ok man if that helps you then goodluck.. That day I was nursing a hangover and couldn’t for the life of me figure out why I couldn’t lift for anything.. The time came for Joel to take a 3rd attempt which was going to break Glen Chabots record. I walked off to a corner and said Ok God if you are for real show me what you can do if you really care for this guy.. Joel unracked the 715 that day horribly. He was swaying back and forth and couldn’t get tight, finally after like 10 seconds he gained control touched his chest and like a bolt of lightning this bar shot up to lockout… I thought AHH coincidence, seeds were planted.. Well a month later I was on a plane going to Daytona to coach my 2 lifters in the APF seniors. I was scared to fly and always said a prayer (like I knew how to in the first place hehehe) as I was praying there I felt something come over me and I said to God you know what if you are trying to get my attention get me there safely and help me coach my 2 lifters at the meet, show me some kind of sign to know this is real.. Well the day of the meet I was nursing yet another hangover but still managed to coach them both to 4 pr’s each one had won her weight clbutt and set a new masters bench record and the other took second with not one single flaw all day… But here’s the cool part.. Tony Conyers was lifting that day, I never met him but heard how great a lifter he was.. This guy that day I think squatted just over 700 benched close to 500 and pulled over 700 weighing in at 154 lbs and 40+ yrs old.. After the meet I went into the warmup area and asked him, I said hey man I gotta ask you how in the world with your little body do you lift those weights with such ease.. he said Chris my lifting is a testimony of the power of God, I am just a vessel for the Lord to work through, I really just showed up and didn’t even know what I was going to lift today… Do you think God was trying to wake me up? Well it took about 3 months later of more and more conviction and one day I was just talking openly with a person I used to train about how I feel like God is sending me signs but I don’t know what to do… She says well I go to this church in such and such town come with me Sunday.. I went and from the moment I sat till the benediction I was in tears, feeling the awesome power of the Holy Spirit filling me with Love that I never knew before.
The pastor told me that day to go home read some of the Gospel of John and if I feel like coming back next week to come back , a week went by and everywhere I went I saw a Jesus fish on a car (for those who live in the south where there are churches everywhere, in the metro NY area that is very rare to see ) so the following week on Oct 21st 2001 I asked Jesus into my life.
How long have you been powerlifting and do you compete in other sports?
I started in the sport as a bencher when I just turned 17, in 1995 I did my first full meet ( I benched more then my squat and dead hehehe)
What denomination of Church do you attend?
We attend the Shelter Rock Church we belong to the northeast conservative Baptist organization but we typically don’t have the usual Baptist type worship services. On a side note I believe In Jesus and the Bible, if your church teaches and worships Christ biblically then who cares what denomination is on the sign outside…
What are your best lifts in competition?
242 715 sq 617 bp 683 dl 2001 total
275 815 sq 705 bp 685 dl 2200 total
308 903 sq 755 bp (wr) 677 dl 2303 total
Who are some individuals you look up to in religion and powerlifting?
In a spiritual sense I look up to my friend and mentor Jack Crabtree I cant really describe him to you but everyone who has met him could tell you he is the real deal, 100% filled with all the fruits of the spirit, He is also the Director for the Long Island Youth for Christ..
In Powerlifting it would have to be my best friends John Bernor and Joel Toranzo.
Withouit there spiritual leadership I would still be a baby Christian and never actually realize the gift God has given me to witness to the lost.
How do you balance powerlifting into your life being a Christian?
I believe God planned for me to use my strength to build his Kingdom, so lifting and competing is soley for that purpose not for self rewards..It is my ministry
Do you train others or are you a trainee?
I kinda coach TeamTaylor, my group of lifters. Some of which have been led to Christ.
Chris what are the organizations you have you lift in?
I have lifted in the APF, WPC, WPO, last and certainly least the IPA
I know that you have lifted in the APF/WPO, what is your view on lifting in meets that are non-tested? From a Christian witnessing view point?
Like I said earlier where I place in a competiton really isn’t of my concern, so Lifting against lifters who are jacked up on thousands of milligrams of anabolics doesn’t really make a difference to me, But I will tell you what, you can’t witness to the lost in the comfort of your own home. You have to go and kick in the gates of hell sometimes and rescue some POW’s (Lenny is gonna love that I used that quote)
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Phil 1:21 For to me, To live is Christ to die is Gain
How awesome is this scripture Death to the flesh and Alive in Christ, when we rely on Him and die to our wordly notions and feelings we become trully Alive
What is your favorite food?
Its a toss up between Chinese (chicken and broccoli) and Italian (pizza, chicken parm)
What kind of workout do you currently use? Ex..Westside, Progressive,etc.etc.
I use progressive overload with extras alla CT… Ok I usually vary my weeks between 2 different weeks, straight weight weeks and top end training with bands,chains or bands and chains. And I will hit a heavy single or series of singles each week, with varying amounts of gear. (easy concept right)
What version of the Bible do you read most often?
Most often the NIV but I also use KJV, Christian standard, and the Amplified versions during study time when I want to get different perspectives…
Favorite Religious and non-Religious book you have read (other than Bible)?
The barbarian way is my favorite Christian book. Don’t really read any other stuff
What is the most exciting thing you have witnessed God do?
Man that’s a tough one..First and foremost the minute I accepted Christ into my life I was healed of my obsessive drinking problem, it was just over just like that. But I guess the coolest stuff is when I hear him speak to my heart to do things and then watching the blessings flow from obeying. In 2003 I was training for APF seniors, at the time I stunk at squatting and I had just hit a pr 755 in training. In my meditation time before church I was so grateful for Him blessing me with the strength to hit the 755 the day before and I said how cool is it that I am so close to my lifetime goal of 800, just then I felt God speak to me and tell me I will take 755 at the meet on my second attempt then no matter how ugly it is to go for 800+ for my third attempt.. Well I went around and I told all my friends about it.. Day of the meet I went 705 1st attempt easy, then 755 second attempt looked ok but wasn’t easy to say the least you would deffinately say I shouldn’t go to 800+. But I knew I had to do it to prove my Faith and to be obedient. I unracked it and wow it was heavy 804 lbs for the first time woohoo,, sat it down deep and slowly grinded the bar to lockout.. I’ll never ever forget that for the rest of my life and all my guys were in shock.. Except Bernor ofcourse…
What is your favorite lift?
It used to be the bench but now it’s the squat.
What manufacture of powerlifting equipment do you wear or do you compete raw?
I will never compete raw, I want to be able to lift for a long time and keep from being injured and kept out of the sport. I wear INZER gear it’s the best engineered equiptment available.
What is your favorite religious hymn/song?
Wonderfull Cross, You raise me Up, In Christ alone, Above all
Bring me to life, The Messenjah, In Your Eyes, Nothing Compares
Do you have any hobbies outside of powerlifting?
I don’t know if it’s a hobby but I enjoy watching the custom muscle car / custom bike shows on tv. I also like watching Baseball and Football.
Whom is your favorite music artist?
My favorite bands are Third day, POD, Kutless, Jeremy Camp
What weight clbutt do you compete in and do you hold any state, American or World records?
I have competed in 242 and up to and including 308. Last yr I set 2 world records in the bench at 308 (weighed 290) WPC world record 727 in full meet, and WPO world record bench 755 in full meet. I have won the national bench championships like 7 times and I have gone to the world championships and won a gold medal in the bench back in 2000 and a bronze at 242 back in 1998 in Austria..
As a “Christian”, what is your view on Anabolic Steroids or Anabolic Androgenic Steroids?
Well before I became a believer I used to take extreme amounts of anabolics. I was a typical Obsessive compulsive person. Whatever I did I went to the extreme.
I was a alcoholic, I abused women, I thrived on rage, and yes I took anabolics. After my conversion these compulsive issues I had vanished, but the dammage had been done. From now on every blood test I get will show liver enzymes out of whack due to my toxic lifestyle. My body has also stopped producing testosterone, my pituitary is pretty much non functional. So I have to rely on testosterone injections to keep my blood testosterone values in the normal range 350-750 ng/dl. The dr prescribes me 200 mg testosterone every 7-10 days. This has been keeping my blood values at 499 ng/dl, which is within the normal range. Back when I abused test I would normally take 1000 mg a week as maintenance and up to 3800mg pre meet plus the extra pills I would use to make me more androgenic… So I guess I would say it is morally correct to use when you need it to maintain normal levels, as well as legally correct when you get it prescribed by a Dr. In any other case I would say usage is wrong from a Christian standpoint.
Whom is your favorite apostle and why?
Peter is my favorite. I think he is the perfect example of how we can be led off track but still seem to be saved by Grace. He walked on the water till he saw the distractions of the world making him loose his faith and fall in to drown only to be saved once again by Jesus. Then later on this total screw up was asked to lead His sheep..
Do you have any final comments?
Yes I have some extra comments I would like to add. First and foremost I want to thank you guys for considering me worthy of this interview. Mike and Shane this forum is a Blessing to many and you guys are really doing an awesome work for Christ. As I was typing out my answers here I was thinking how sometimes some Christians get wrapped up in the self righteous role. They see someone who is a little off and decide they will tell them how wrong they are. We are all human. No matter how much scripture you read and prayers you lead you are not too far from sin. We all screw up but what we need to do for our fellow believers is help them by loving them, not by beating them over the head with the thickest bible you can find. Encourage one another and lift each other up. We need to raise up ourselves to be a super strong army to defeat the enemy who wants us all to fail and be destroyed.
Last but not least if some of you guys don’t know I want to invite you all to my forums located at teamtaylor.net/forums/index.php drop on by and say hi now and then…
God bless you all,
Chris Taylor
)..I love you CT..You have always believed in me and that support has made you like the big bro i never had..I shirt benched and squatted with CT every week for the last 3.5 years..For those you dont know, the last few months have brought new responsibilities with work and unfortunately my schedule has been messed up and because of this i am currently unable to head out to iron island and train..i have been missing you greatly CT and just wanted you to know that..MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU..